Have you wondered about the title of this column? For those that know me, it's a great "in-joke". I love being a gardener and I struggle with being a farmer. I am addicted to seed catalogs, preparing the soil, shovelling and spreading manure and planting the seeds. I am less than thrilled about weeding. When a beautiful weekend comes along, it's a tough choice....should I tend the garden or jump in my pick-up with the camper always packed and ready? Sometimes my New England Puritan roots cause me to stay home and "be good". Other times I give in to my wanderlust and just go! The name Wendy MEANS wanderer.....I can't help it!!
Winter is a good time to huddle by the woodstove, drinking hot spiced cider and reading seed catalogs. As I write, the temperature hangs near zero. Everything is white and still, then BANG! POP! The trees are exploding from the cold. It's hard to imagine tender green growing beds of baby vegetables. Dreaming of the perfect garden keeps me sane.
Those lavishly illustrated seed catalogs with their seductive word pictures lure me into circling hundreds of choices. I want to grow at least one of everything! Believe me, I've tried....but even with two acres of raised beds, I've never been able to fit them all in. Maybe it's time for therapy. Do you think $600 a year for seeds is extravagant?
I have discovered a few ways to cut down and still get variety. Some gardening magazines print seed swaps. If you have a computer, go to http://ledgewood-consulting.com to find a list of folks to trade with. This is hosted by Paul Hetrick. As long as you're at his site, you can check out pictures from the Peace and Carrots Labor Day Party and pictures of my underground home, the garden, etc. and see a list of workshops we offer.
One of my favorite seed catalogs offers mixes of seeds in a packet. I love The Cook's Garden, PO Box 535, Londonderry, VT 05148 1-800-457-9703 http://www.cooksgarden.com You can get packets such as Custom Beet Mix, with Pronto, Chioggia, Early Wonder, Albina, Vereduna, Golden, Cylindra and Red Ace beets all together. Super Blend Broccoli has equal amounts of seed for early, mid and late season varieties. The Eggplant Mix includes Pingtung, Green Tiger, Neon, Osterei, Violetta Lunga, Slim Jim and Violette di Firenze eggplants. There are mixes and blends of Broom Corn, Ornamental Kale, Cutting Lettuce, Spring, Summer and Fall letuces, Mesclun (salad) mixes, Sweet and Hot Peppers, Gourds, Summer and Winter Squashes.
Other seed catalogs that offer mixtures include:
Bountiful Gardens, Ecology Action, 5798 Ridgewood Rd., Willits, CA (707) 459-6410 e-mail bountiful@zapcom.net
Then. I have some all-around favorite seed sources. The cheapest for great quality is FEDCO Seeds, PO Box 520, Waterville, ME 04903-0520 (207) 873-7333 They are a cooperative, with a substantial discount for large orders. They also have Moose Tubers for potatoes, onions, sunchokes and sweet potatoes, FEDCO Bulbs, FEDCO Trees and Organic Grower's Supply. I order most of my seeds, garden books and small tools from these folks. They are great!
High Mowing Organic Seed Farm, 813 Brook Road, Wolcott, VT 05680 (802) 888-2480 Tom Stearns specializes in organically grown heirloom varieties. He also offers seed saving workshops.
Richter's Herb Catalogue, Goodwood, Ontario, LOC 1AO Canada (905) 640-6677 http://www.richters.com This is a very comprehensive catalog offering seeds, plants and bulk herbs. An excellent resource!
Le Jardin du Gourmet, Box75B, St. Johnsbury Center, VT 05863 They specialize in herbs and French vegetables. My favorite are the sample seed packs. Send $1 for a catalog and 5 sample seed packets.
Actually I love most seed catalogs. I hope my list of favorites is enough to get your garden juices flowing. This is also the time of year to get out your garden notes from last season. What? No notes? Maybe put that on your list of New Year's resolutions. Make a garden map and keep track of which crops go where. This information is invaluable for setting up garden rotations. By moving plants around, pests are minimized and soil fertility is improved. Most any good gardening book will explain the principles. I like Elliot Coleman's book, The New Organic Grower ISBN 0-930031-22-9 Here's his advice:
potatoes follow sweet corn
sweet corn follows the cabbage family
the cabbage family follows peas
peas follow tomatoes
tomatoes follow beans
beans follow root crops
root crops follow squash
squash is grown after potatoes
My two favorite books about sowing, growing and harvesting are: Square Foot Gardening by Mel Bartholomew ISBN 0-87857-340-2 and How To Grow More Vegetables by John Jeavons ISBN 0-89815-415-4 Of the hundreds of books I've read and own, I always go back to these.
Now, sit back, relax, sip that hot cider and dream of gardens to come. Write to me at Wendy Martin, PO Box 69, Calais, VT 05648 or wsm311@aol.com
